Santander appoints dentsu for global SME trade platform

Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking has announced the appointment of dentsu to aid in the globalisation of its international growth platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The newly formed partnership aims to enhance Santander's platform, which is designed to simplify international trade for businesses globally. Over the next five years, the platform plans to enter 45 different markets, including 10 core markets and additional markets connected to Santander's alliance banking partners.

Santander's platform will provide a digital-first customer experience, offering SMEs necessary tools such as industry insights, connections to market providers, and bespoke solutions intended to dismantle barriers to trade.

Dentsu's role in this initiative involves the comprehensive design, build, operations, and marketing of the platform, leveraging technology partners like Salesforce, Adobe, and Amazon. This initiative highlights dentsu and Santander's shared values of enabling business prosperity and sustainable growth through integrated solutions.

John Carroll, Head of International and Transactional Banking at Santander, stated: "Over the last five years, we've created a revolutionary international proposition that has broken the mould for traditional banking customers. It's been fundamental in shaping international trade for UK businesses and has allowed us to support them in new international markets. We've seen first-hand what can be achieved when all the pieces of the puzzle are put in place, when businesses can feel empowered to take their next step and realise their true growth potential. Now, it's our time to export. We're ready to take the support we can offer to the next level and help more businesses than ever before across all corners of the globe. I'm delighted to be working with dentsu to work on this next phase. Their knowledge and expertise are second to none and they will be pivotal to the future of this offering. Together, we will pave the way for the future of international trade, a simpler way that means more businesses can take advantage of the massive opportunity it holds."

Angela Tangas, Chief Executive Officer UK&I at dentsu, commented: "In a changing macro environment, new business models which create new sources of revenue growth, are fundamental to how clients such as Santander achieve sustainable long-term advantage. We are delighted to offer our broad range of transformation capabilities in support of Santander's strategy and to play a key part in both delivering and realising its growth vision and with it, co-create a new ecosystem for SMB international trade. For us, this is business transformation, this is innovating to impact."

The launch of the platform is anticipated in the second quarter of 2025, marking a significant step in Santander's ongoing mission to support the SME community worldwide, entities that account for over 90% of the business population and approximately half of the GDP globally.